AJ11608 Current Events in English Speaking Countries

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2008
Extent and Intensity
0/2. 4 credit(s). Recommended Type of Completion: zk (examination). Other types of completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Jarmila Fictumová (lecturer)
Michael George, M.A. (lecturer)
Andrew Philip Oakland, M.A. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel, B.A.
Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Tomáš Hanzálek
Timetable
Wed 10:00–11:35 G31
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/20, only registered: 0/20, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/20
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 10 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
This is a seminar/discussion course where students will follow current events in the English language media and bring selected articles to summarize and present in class where they will compare, contrast and analyze the differing points of view in open conversation around the table. The aim is that, as developing teachers, the students will hone their speaking and listening skills, expand their vocabulary and familiarity with idiomatic language and journalistic discourse types, as well as become aware of cultural differences within English speaking lands. News sources will include both print and electronic and will be considered not only according to their nationality and political bias, but also according to their targeted readership (e.g. tabloid/broadsheet, Fox/BBC). By discussing the same event as reported in various news sources, students will also develop a critical eye as consumers of English, becoming better able to recognize hidden or implied bias in the media. Attendance, participation in class discussion and a group presentation are the major credit requirements for this course.
Syllabus
  • While the exact curriculum will be determined by what is in the news each week in English-speaking lands, and is therefore impossible to codify, it is highly probable that discussion will center around reportage on subjects such as: Globalization and economy, Terrorism, Race relations and cultural clashes, Environment and global warning, Middle East conflict, Religion and fundamentalism, Immigration and third world development, Education, Social welfare and poverty, Politics, Gender
Literature
  • Literature for this class includes the whole scope of the English language media: newspapers, magazines, radio, television and Internet.
Assessment methods (in Czech)
class attendence, participation, presentation
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2008, Spring 2009, Autumn 2009.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2008, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2008/AJ11608